The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp’s 2024 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren’s deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2024 Football Preview.
With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2024 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let’s look at the Tennessee Titans, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Tennessee Titans rookies?
- JC Latham — OT — Round 1
- T’Vondre Sweat — DT — Round 2
- Cedric Gray — LB — Round 4
- Jarvis Brownlee Jr. — CB — Round 5
- Jha’Quan Jackson — WR — Round 6
- James Williams — S — Round 7
- Jaylen Harrell — EDGE — Round 7
Tennessee Titans Draft Class Grade:
The Tennessee Titans received a B draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Titans Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Titans are hoping JC Latham (first round) has the talent to quickly transition from right tackle, where he started for two years at Alabama, to the left side in Tennessee. Latham does not have the athleticism of a prototypical left tackle, but elite length (over 35-inch arms) probably allows him to handle the move. Even if Latham has some rookie-year struggles, there’s little doubt he’s an upgrade at the position. Last year, Tennessee left tackles allowed an embarrassing 15.4% pressure rate 一 no other team was above 10%.
Tennessee took a big swing with T’Vondre Sweat (second round), who has flashed elite talent but needs to prove he can stay in shape and out of trouble to live up to his potential. Sweat generated an 8.4% pressure rate when lined up on the interior, a strong performance for a man his size (he weighed 366 pounds at the Combine). An arrest for driving under the influence just weeks before the draft calls into question Sweat’s maturity. And if he’s not ready for life as a professional athlete off the field, he’s likely to continue struggling to control his weight.
Tennessee was desperate for help at linebacker, which means Cedric Gray (fourth round) should start immediately and may even wear the green dot. Gray led all Power Five players in tackles over the last two seasons, but that was in large part due to playing on a defense that couldn’t get off the field. Unfortunately, Gray contributed to those defensive struggles with his 14.6% missed tackle rate in 2023, which ranked 24th out of 29 ACC linebackers. If Gray can clean up those mistakes, his elite range will allow him to make an impact.
James Williams (seventh round) will likely join Gray on the depth chart at linebacker despite primarily lining up at safety in college. At 6-foot-4 and 231 pounds, Williams is just too big to handle the coverage responsibilities of a safety in the NFL. Unfortunately, tackling is also Williams’ greatest weakness, as his 20.7% missed tackle rate ranked 56th out of 59 qualified ACC defenders in 2023. Expect Williams to see action primarily on special teams, but due to the light depth chart at linebacker, a strong training camp could put him in the mix for some action.
Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee (fifth round) spent three years at Florida State before landing at Louisville for the last two years. He struggled to make an impact for much of his career but flashed some potential in 2023. Based on route-adjusted data, Brownlee allowed a catch rate 15% below expected last year for the Cardinals. Due to the additions of Chidobe Awuzie and L’Jarius Sneed, there’s no path to a starting job, so Brownlee is purely providing depth in the short term.
Jha’Quan Jackson (sixth round) is a speedy but undersized slot receiver who probably only wins a spot on the roster if he’s able to lock down a job as a return specialist.
Jaylen Harrell (seventh round) slid down the board further than expected given his decent testing numbers and impressive production. In 2023, Harrell ranked fifth among Power Five edge-rushers with a 20.4% pressure rate. Although he doesn’t have overly impressive physical traits, in the seventh round it’s well worth the gamble to see if Harrell can carry over that production. Other than Harold Landry, no one is locked into their role among the Titans’ edge rushers, so Harrell has a chance to carve out a spot with a strong camp.
Tennessee potentially landed three immediate starters, but that includes Sweat, who has significant concerns, and Gray, a fourth-round linebacker with a poor tackling success rate. The upside is certainly there for this class to give Tennessee a boost, especially on defense, but it could also quickly go wrong.
This analysis continues in the 2024 Football Preview
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